Home / Disasters and Accidents / Driver Death: Crossing Flaws Exposed
Driver Death: Crossing Flaws Exposed
9 Nov
Summary
- A delivery driver's death was preventable due to poor signage.
- Misleading green light likely caused driver to enter crossing.
- Investigators call user-operated crossings a '19th Century concept'.
A fatal level crossing accident involving a delivery driver in Kent could have been averted with improved safety measures, according to a rail accident investigation. The incident occurred on July 13, 2025, when a van driven by 23-year-old Brandon Hatcher was struck by a train at a crossing in Teynham.
Investigators from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) suggest the driver may have been misled by a green light, mistakenly believing it was safe to proceed. The crossing's signage and lack of road markings did not effectively guide users, the report stated.
The RAIB highlighted that user-operated crossings, featuring gates and miniature stop-light systems, are considered an outdated concept. They recommended that Network Rail review the design of such crossings and the Health and Safety Executive improve guidance for employing organizations.
In response, the railway company has updated the site's layout and issued new guidance for professional drivers. They acknowledged the report's findings and committed to learning from the tragic event. Another delivery van driver also died at a similar crossing in Lancashire last August.
